Tomislav Krističević

The Associations between Sleep Duration and Sleep Quality with Body-Mass Index in a Large Sample of Young Adults

Background: The main aims of this study were to explore the associations between time spent in bed (as a proxy of sleep duration) and sleep quality with overweight/obesity status in a large sample of young adults. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants were 2100 university students (49.6% of women). We used Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire to assess time spent in bed and sleep quality. Body-mass index (BMI) was self-reported and dichotomized as normal (<25 kg/m2) vs. overweight/obesity (≥25 kg/m2) status. Results: In model 1, both short (<6 h/day, OR = 2.72; 95% CI 1.27 to 5.84) and long (>10 h/day, OR = 3.38; 95% CI 2.12 to 5.40) time spent in bed were associated with a greater likelihood of being overweight/obese. In model 2, poor sleep quality (>5 points, OR = 1.45; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.83) was associated with a greater likelihood of being overweight/obese. After entering time spent in bed and sleep quality simultaneously into the model 3, both short (OR = 2.64; 95% CI 1.23 to 5.66) and long (OR = 3.27; 95% CI 2.04 to 5.23) time spent in bed and poor sleep quality (OR = 1.40; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.78) were associated with overweight/obesity status. Conclusions: Our results show that both short and long time spent in bed and poor sleep quality are associated with overweight/obesity status in young adults. Special interventions and policies that use both sleep duration and sleep quality as protective factors against overweight/obesity are warranted.

Are lower levels of physical activity and self-rated fitness associated with higher levels of psychological distress in Croatian young adults? A cross-sectional study

Background Although previous evidence has shown that physical activity and physical fitness lower the level of psychological distress, little is known of simultaneous associations between of physical activity and physical fitness and with psychological distress, especially in young adults. Therefore, the main purpose of the present study was to explore both separate and simultaneous association between physical activity and physical fitness with psychological distress. Methods Participants in this cross-sectional study were 2,100 university students (1,041 men and 1,059 women) chosen from eight faculties in the city of Zagreb. Physical activity, physical fitness and psychological distress were assessed using structured questionnaires. The associations were examined using logistic regression analysis. Results After adjusting for gender, body-mass index, self-rated health, material status, binge drinking, chronic disease/s and sleep quality, “insufficient” physical activity (OR = 2.60; 95% CI [1.92–3.52]) and “lower” levels of physical fitness (tertile 2; OR = 1.94; 95% CI [1.25–3.01] and tertile 1; OR = 2.59; 95% CI [1.65–4.08]) remained associated with “high” psychological distress. When physical activity and physical fitness were entered simultaneously into the model, “insufficient” physical activity (OR = 2.35; 95% CI [1.72–3.21]) and “lower” levels of physical fitness (tertile 2; OR = 1.77; 95% CI [1.24–2.77] and tertile 1; OR = 2.00; 95% CI [1.26–3.20]) remained associated with “high” psychological distress. Conclusion Our study shows that both “insufficient” physical activity and “lower” levels of physical fitness are associated with “high” psychological distress, even after adjusting for numerous covariates. Therefore, special policies aiming to increase the levels of physical activity and fitness are warranted.

The associations between sleep duration and sleep quality with self-rated health in young adults: a population-based study

Abstract Background The main purpose of the present study was to explore significant associations between sleep duration and sleep quality with poor self-rated health. Methods Subjects were 2100 university students (49.6% of women), aged 18–24 years. The associations between sleep duration and sleep quality with self-rated health were examined by using structured questionnaires. Results After adjusting for sex, body mass index (BMI), socio-economic status, smoking status, alcohol consumption, presence or absence of chronic diseases, psychological distress and physical activity, very short [<6 h, odds ratio (OR) = 4.78; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.95–11.76] and very long (>10 h, OR = 4.09; 95% CI 2.26–7.39) sleep duration and poor sleep quality (OR = 1.44; 95% CI 1.01–2.05) were associated with poor self-rated health. Conclusions Our results show both dependent and independent associations between sleep duration and sleep quality with self-rated health in a large sample of young adults. Thus, policies that promote adequate sleep duration and good sleep quality are warranted.

Associations between sleep quality and its domains and insufficient physical activity in a large sample of Croatian young adults: a cross-sectional study

Objectives The main purpose of the present study was to explore the associations between sleep quality and insufficient physical activity. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Faculties in Croatia. Participants 2100 university students (1049 men and 1051 women) aged 18–24 years were recruited. Primary outcome To assess the domains of sleep quality (independent variables) and ‘insufficient’ physical activity (dependent variable), we used previously validated Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and International Physical Activity questionnaires. Logistic regressions were used to calculate the associations between the sleep quality and ‘insufficient’ physical activity. Results When sleep quality domains were entered separately into the model, very bad subjective sleep quality (OR 3.09; 95% CI 1.50 to 6.56), >60 min of sleep latency (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.39 to 3.39), <7 hours of sleep (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.24 to 1.96), <65% of habitual sleep efficiency (OR 2.26; 95% CI 1.26 to 4.05), sleep disturbances >1/week (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.52), use of sleep medication >1/week (OR 3.35; 95% CI 1.83 to 6.10), very big daytime dysfunction problem (OR 2.78; 95% CI 1.57 to 4.93) and poor sleep quality (1.53; 95% CI 1.23 to 1.91) were associated with ‘insufficient’ physical activity. When all sleep quality domains were entered simultaneously into the model, the same significant associations remained, except for sleep disturbances. Both models were adjusted for gender, body mass index, self-rated health, life satisfaction, socioeconomic status, presence or absence of chronic diseases, smoking status, binge drinking and psychological distress. Conclusions Our results show that ‘poor’ sleep quality is associated with ‘insufficient’ physical activity in young adults. In order to improve, special strategies and policies that leverage ‘good sleep’ quality are warranted.

A suggested model of handstand teaching method

The aim of this paper was, based on the review of the previous available theoretical, scientific and expert knowledge about a handstand, to suggest a more efficient teaching model. A handstand is an exercise performed on all the apparatus in a gymnastics all-around competition, in its basic form of performance or as a transition exercise, when it is performed as a link to some more complex acrobatic exercises. In addition, this exercise is also performed in other sports as well as a part of the physical education curriculum, so that this paper will help not only the gymnastics experts and coaches, but also the coaches and teachers in other sports branches, to improve this exercise with their performers in a regular way and by the application of the most effective methods.